Our Times
Office worker Truly Lin goes on a journey through her memories. 20 years ago, she had a crush on the most popular guy in school. Taiyu, a ruffian and a bully, is in love with the campus belle. Truly teams up with Taiyu to tear the golden couple apart and help each other to get the ones they love.
Despite its small-scale budget of $2.7M, Our Times became a runaway success, earning $82.0M worldwide—a remarkable 2938% return. The film's unique voice engaged audiences, showing that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Our Times (2015) exhibits strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Frankie Chen's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 13 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (2% through the runtime) establishes Adult Lin Chen-Hsin at a job interview, her phone plays an Andy Lau song triggering memories. Flashback begins to 1994: teenage Lin is an invisible, ordinary student with braces and glasses, hopelessly crushing on the perfect honor student Ouyang Fei-Fan from afar.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 16 minutes when Lin accidentally gets involved with Hsu Tai-Yu when she's forced to tutor him to avoid him being expelled. This unwanted connection threatens her invisible status and brings the school delinquent into her carefully maintained low-profile life.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 33 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Lin and Tai-Yu make an active pact: they'll help each other win over their respective crushes - Lin will help Tai-Yu get Tao Min-Min, and Tai-Yu will help Lin get close to Ouyang. This deal launches them into a partnership and the "fun and games" of their scheme., moving from reaction to action.
At 67 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: Lin finally gets her moment with Ouyang - perhaps a date or significant interaction that seems like her dream is coming true. Simultaneously, Tai-Yu seems closer to Tao Min-Min. But this "success" raises the stakes as Lin begins to realize her feelings for Tai-Yu, and their deal threatens to end., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 100 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, All is lost: A major fight or misunderstanding separates Lin and Tai-Yu. Perhaps Tai-Yu thinks Lin still only wants Ouyang, or Lin sees Tai-Yu with Tao Min-Min. Their friendship/partnership shatters. Lin loses both her fantasy (Ouyang) and her real connection (Tai-Yu). The "death" of their relationship and her high school innocence., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 107 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Lin realizes the truth: she loves Tai-Yu, not Ouyang. She understands that real love isn't about perfection or fantasy, but about genuine connection. Armed with this clarity and courage, she decides to fight for Tai-Yu and be honest about her feelings. The synthesis of who she was and who she's become., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Our Times's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Our Times against these established plot points, we can identify how Frankie Chen utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Our Times within the romance genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional romance films include South Pacific, Last Night and Diana.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Adult Lin Chen-Hsin at a job interview, her phone plays an Andy Lau song triggering memories. Flashback begins to 1994: teenage Lin is an invisible, ordinary student with braces and glasses, hopelessly crushing on the perfect honor student Ouyang Fei-Fan from afar.
Theme
Lin's teacher or friend mentions that "the person you think you want isn't always the person you need" - hinting at the film's central theme that real love comes from unexpected places, not from pursuing impossible ideals.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of 1994 Taiwan high school life. Lin is the invisible girl obsessed with Andy Lau and Ouyang Fei-Fan. Hsu Tai-Yu is the notorious troublemaker. The popular girl Tao Min-Min also likes Ouyang. The social hierarchies, Lin's friend group, and the nostalgic 90s setting are introduced.
Disruption
Lin accidentally gets involved with Hsu Tai-Yu when she's forced to tutor him to avoid him being expelled. This unwanted connection threatens her invisible status and brings the school delinquent into her carefully maintained low-profile life.
Resistance
Lin resists her association with Tai-Yu, trying to maintain distance while being forced to tutor him. She debates whether to help him or protect her reputation. Tai-Yu reveals he likes Tao Min-Min. They begin to understand each other's romantic struggles and consider a partnership.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Lin and Tai-Yu make an active pact: they'll help each other win over their respective crushes - Lin will help Tai-Yu get Tao Min-Min, and Tai-Yu will help Lin get close to Ouyang. This deal launches them into a partnership and the "fun and games" of their scheme.
Mirror World
As Lin and Tai-Yu spend time together executing their plans, their genuine friendship deepens. Tai-Yu becomes the relationship that will teach Lin what real connection feels like - messy, honest, and based on who she actually is rather than a fantasy ideal.
Premise
The "promise of the premise" - Lin and Tai-Yu's hijinks trying to win their crushes. Comedic schemes, near-misses, bonding moments. Lin gets closer to Ouyang through Tai-Yu's help. They share music, food, adventures. The fun of their unlikely partnership plays out with 90s nostalgia and growing chemistry.
Midpoint
False victory: Lin finally gets her moment with Ouyang - perhaps a date or significant interaction that seems like her dream is coming true. Simultaneously, Tai-Yu seems closer to Tao Min-Min. But this "success" raises the stakes as Lin begins to realize her feelings for Tai-Yu, and their deal threatens to end.
Opposition
Complications intensify. Lin's pursuit of Ouyang continues but feels increasingly hollow. Her real feelings for Tai-Yu grow but she can't admit them. Misunderstandings arise. Tao Min-Min and Ouyang's relationship develops. External pressures from school, family, or social hierarchies mount. The gap between what Lin thought she wanted and what she actually needs widens.
Collapse
All is lost: A major fight or misunderstanding separates Lin and Tai-Yu. Perhaps Tai-Yu thinks Lin still only wants Ouyang, or Lin sees Tai-Yu with Tao Min-Min. Their friendship/partnership shatters. Lin loses both her fantasy (Ouyang) and her real connection (Tai-Yu). The "death" of their relationship and her high school innocence.
Crisis
Lin's dark night of the soul. She processes the loss, reflects on what she truly wants versus what she thought she wanted. Perhaps reconciles with friends, or has a moment of clarity about her feelings. The emotional aftermath of losing Tai-Yu and confronting her own self-deception.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Lin realizes the truth: she loves Tai-Yu, not Ouyang. She understands that real love isn't about perfection or fantasy, but about genuine connection. Armed with this clarity and courage, she decides to fight for Tai-Yu and be honest about her feelings. The synthesis of who she was and who she's become.
Synthesis
Lin takes action to find Tai-Yu and confess her true feelings. The climactic confrontation and resolution. The bittersweet revelation of their adult fates (through the frame narrative) - they loved each other but life took them separate ways. The adult Lin completes her journey of understanding that first love, even if it didn't last, shaped who she became.
Transformation
Adult Lin, no longer invisible or chasing fantasies, stands confident having honored her past. The final image mirrors the opening but shows her transformation: she's embraced her authentic self and the beautiful mess of real love. A chance encounter or meaningful closure with adult Tai-Yu, or simply her smile knowing who she's become.